Food briefs for April 12-18

Famed bartender visits San Diego
: Sam Ross, named "2011 American Bartender of the Year" by Tales of the Cocktail, will be shaking things up at a specialty cocktail event from 7 p.m. (to 2 a.m.) April 15 at Noble Experiment, 777 G St. in San Diego's East Village. The Australian-born Ross, of New York's Milk & Honey bar, is internationally recognized for his expertise on cocktails and was a 2008 winner of a StarChef's Rising Star Award. Admission is free, but limited to just 35 people at a time, so reservations are required by calling 619-888-4713. Upon calling, guests will get directions and permission to enter this secret speakeasy tucked behind a hidden door.

P.F. Chang's celebrates Tax Day:
To celebrate the extension of Tax Day to April 17, P.F. Chang's guests will receive a 15 percent discount on that day. The discount is not available for alcoholic beverages or happy hour items. Go to pfchangs.com .

More Tax Day specials:
Dirty Birds in Pacific Beach will offer $15 buckets of beer, $10 bottles of champagne, $2 mimosas and $4 bloody marys on April 15. And RA Sushi downtown will offer happy hour from 3 p.m. to close April 17. Also, Grant Grill will offer its signature cocktails for $4.17 on April 15. Just say "deduction" to the bartender or server for the deal.

Personal chef expands into North County
: Chef Jessica Veseskis of San Diego is now offering her Entree Nous personal meal preparation service in North County cities. Veseskis tailors menus to clients' tastes and dietary needs and prepares a week's worth of meals at a time for home or vacation. She also offers catering for parties up to 100. Vesesjus holds a culinary degree from La Varenne, Burgundy, and the Johnson and Wales Culinary School. Visit chefjessica.com or call 619-316-2472.

Lucky's opens near Petco
: Lucky's Lunch Counter, a nostalgic deli-style eatery, opened Wednesday near Petco Park in East Village. Open from 7 a.m. to midnight daily, Lucky's serves old-fashioned New York-style hot and cold deli sandwiches, chopped salads, hot dogs, homemade soups and side dishes. It also serves a full breakfast menu with omelettes, breakfast burritos, lox, cereals, smoothies and combo plates. Prices are $5 to $11. Lucky's is at 338 Seventh Ave., San Diego. Visit luckyslunchcounter.com .

Chipotle plans Earth Day giveaway
: In honor of Earth Day, Chipotle Mexican Grill will offer a free burrito, bowl, salad or order of tacos to customers who purchase a reusable Chipotle-brand repurposed billboard bag from its online store at store.chipotle.com. Each bag purchased through April 14 comes with a coupon for a free menu item (redeemable only on Earth Day, April 22).

Red Door names new chef:
Miguel Valdez is the new executive chef of the Red Door Restaurant & Wine Bar and The Wellington Steak & Martini Lounge, which share a building in Mission Hills. Valdez joined the Red Door chef team 18 months ago and was recently promoted. He has created a new menu that showcases the fresh produce harvested daily from the Red Door Family Garden on Mount Helix. Visit thereddoorsd.com .

Strawberry Fest in Carlsbad
: The Carlsbad Village Farmers Market hosts its annual Strawberry Fest from 1 to 5 p.m. April 18 and 21 at 2390 Roosevelt St. The strawberry-themed markets will feature numerous desserts and dishes prepared with local berries in peak season, a scavenger hunt, live music and a children's jump house. Call 760-687-6453.

Taco Banh now Urban Eats
: Taco Banh, an Asian-inspired upscale taqueria that chef/owner Chris Sayre opened in early March, then closed after a week for a concept overhaul, has reopened as Urban Eats. The new restaurant's urban comfort food menu includes twists on traditional starters, salads, sandwiches and entrees such as meatloaf, braised Kobe beef, sesame-crusted ahi and pan-seared polenta stack. Urban Eats is at 3850 Fifth Ave., San Diego.

Businesses help Promises2Kids:
Throughout April, local businesses will be helping raise funds for Promises2Kids, which supports children in San Diego foster care, with its Pennies for Prevention campaign. Wendy's will have coin collection boxes at the 30 county locations, and Tiger! Tiger! Tavern will donate one cent of every dollar in revenue to the campaign. From 2 p.m. to close April 19, all Luna Grill locations will donate 30 percent of net proceeds to Promises2Kids. Go to www.promises2kids.org .

Tapas Thursday returns to Twenty/20:
Twenty/20 Grill & Wine Bar in Carlsbad has brought back Tapas Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to dusk. Small plates start at $2 on a weekly rotating menu; nightly wine specials are also available.

Sprinkles Earth Day cupcake:
Sprinkles is helping support Earth Day with a special Earth Day Vanilla Cupcake, available April 16-20. The cupcakes are adorned with a tree sugar decoration, and 100 percent of the proceeds benefit San Diego Coastkeeper.

PubCakes launches campaign:
PubCakes, a craft beer cupcake bakery, has launched a fundraising campaign to help the bakery expand into its own shop. PubCakes will hold beer and food pairing events throughout the city to help it raise $50,000 by May 31. If the campaign is successful, the goal is to open a beer bar dessert shop in which every dessert (like Beer for Breakfast, a beer and bacon cupcake) will be paired with a local brew. Go to www.pubcakes.com .

DINING EVENTS

"Titanic Centennial First Class Dinner"
: The Prado Restaurant in Balboa Park will host a 10-course dinner that authentically re-creates dishes served to first-class passengers on the night the ship sank in 1912. The dinner, at 6 p.m. April 14, will include poached salmon in mousseline sauce, chicken Lyonnaise, lamb in mint sauce, roast squab with watercress, cold asparagus with saffron vinaigrette, foie gras pate and Waldorf pudding. After dinner, guests can walk over to tour "Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition" at the San Diego Natural History Museum. The dinner is limited to 100 guests and is $212. Formal attire is requested. The dinner will be served in the El Prado Grand Ballroom, Visit buypradotickets.com or call 619-557-9441.

Thai New Year at Saffron
: Saffron Thai restaurant in Mission Hills will celebrate Thai New Year April 13 and 14. At 6 p.m. April 13, Thai dancers will welcome the new year with a performance followed by a traditional blessing and menu of traditional new year dishes priced from $8.50-$9. On April 14, Saffron will present a Thai "street food" market with re-creations of tradition street cart dishes priced from 75 cents to $4.50. Visit saffronsandiego.com .

Taste of Julian
: More than 16 Julian-area restaurants and wineries will participate in the Julian Merchants Association's fourth annual self-guided culinary tour from 1 to 5 p.m. April 14. Tickets are $20 and are available online at julianmerchants.org or at the Julian Town Hall. Call 619-889-6222.

College Area Taste:
More than 25 restaurants in the San Diego State University area will participate in this food sampling from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 15. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Reserve to collegeareabid.com or 619-233-5008.

Spring Farmers Market Wine Pairing Dinner
: Chefs from the Ladeki Restaurant Group and Daou Vineyards will host a five-course prix-fixe dinner at 6:30 p.m. April 17 at Roppongi Restaurant & Sushi Bar in La Jolla. Produce from local Chino, Coleman and Weiser farms will be featured in the menu prepared by chefs from Roppongi and Sammy's Woodfired Pizza, with Daou Vineyards wine pairings. Cost is $100. Reserve to 858-551-5252.

Taste of Hillcrest
: More than 40 restaurants in the Hillcrest area will offer menu samples from noon to 4 p.m. April 21. Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 at the door. Visit fabuloushillcrest.com or 619-233-5008.

Wine & Dine: Prohibition
: West Gaslamp Quarter hosts a 1920s Prohibition-style speakeasy party from 7 to 11 p.m. April 21. The party will include tastings from more than 50 wineries, breweries, spirits-makers, restaurants and specialty food makers, a cigar lounge, celebrity host, live jazz music and professional dancers. Tickets are $150 and benefit Elderhelp of San Diego.

Royal India marks Punjab
New Year:
Royal India Restaurant in downtown San Diego celebrates Punjab New Year with its fifth annual Bollywood Bash, where customers on April 21 and 22 can order a three-course $59.99 three-course menu and enjoy live music, Indian dancing, champagne and Indian dessert. Visit royalindia.com or call 619-296-9999.

Wine & Dine Fundraiser
: ElderHelp hosts its 15th annual fundraiser from 7 to 11 p.m. April 21 at the Westin Gaslamp Quarter. This year's event will have a Prohibition theme and will include handmade cocktails, food from several downtown restaurants, live entertainment and dancing. Tickets are $150 ($200 at the door). Reserve to elderhelpofsandiego.org or 619-284-9281, ext. 112. Reserve to winedinesd.com .

Sustainable Feast:
The Outdoor Education Foundation will host its second Sustainable Feast from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 22 at Liberty Station in Point Loma. Chefs from San Diego and Tijuana, as well as Stone Brewing Co., will work with local farms to cook, educate and raise money for the foundation's 6th Grade Camp initiative. Participating chefs include Ricardo Heredia of Alchemy, Chad White of Gabardine, Javier Plasencia of Mision 19 in Tijuana, Jonathan Hale of The Prado, Katherine Humphus of Bo Beau Kitchen + Bar, and more. Go to stayclassy.org .

Meet the Chefs of Del Mar
: Casa de Amparo hosts the 16th annual culinary event, where chefs from several Del Mar-area restaurants will prepare samples from their menu from 1 to 4 p.m. April 22 at the Hilton Del Mar, 15575 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. Tickets are $150 and benefit Casa de Amparo programs. Visit casadeamparo.org or call Keely Tidrow at 760-754-5500, ext. 23.

Quarterly Cigar & Beer Dinner
: Hennessey's Vista and Cigar Grotto of Oceanside co-host a four-course dinner that will include two cigars and samples beer from Latitude 33 at 6:30 p.m. April 26 at 224 Main St., Vista. Dishes include gourmet sausages, lamb shank in mint rosemary sauce and hot fudge brownie. Tickets are $54.95. Reserve to cigargrotto@aol.com or call 760-722-1602.

Oceans Benefit Gala:
The San Diego Oceans Foundation will host the 27th annual Oceans Benefit Gala: A Sustainable Seafood Celebration from 6 to 10 p.m. April 26 at SeaWorld San Diego's Turtle Reef and Shark Encounter exhibits. The gala will feature sustainable seafood tastings prepared by local chefs, Karl Strauss beer, Vesper Vineyards wine and Ballast Point vodka, as well as music, auctions, a raffle, a photo booth and more. Go to www.oceansbenefit.org .

Taste of Temecula Valley
: The event will feature more than 100 booths hosted by restaurants and wineries from the Temecula area from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. April 28 in Old Town Temecula's Town Square. The tasting will feature live music by local bands on two stages. Tickets are $10 for ages 13 and up and free for children age 12 and under. Admission includes one "taste" ticket. Additional tickets are $2 each. Reserve to tickets.temeculatheater.org or 866-653-8696.

Island Divine Isla Mujeres
: The Junior League of San Diego presents a wine-and-dine tasting from 3 to 7 p.m. May 5 in Ellen Browning Scripps Park at La Jolla Cove. More than 50 restaurants, wineries, breweries and spirits purveyors will offer samples, and there will be live music and a silent auction to benefit League charities. Tickets are $70. Visit islanddivine.com or 619-233-5008.

Mama's Day:
San Diego's largest one-night culinary event takes place from 6:30 to 9 p.m. May 11 at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla. More than 55 chefs from top San Diego restaurants, hotels and catering companies will serve menu samples to some 700 attendees. Sam "The Cooking Guy" Zien will host the fundraiser for Mama's Kitchens, which delivers free hot meals to San Diego residents with AIDS and cancer. Tickets are $125 or $150 at the door. VIP tickets, which include a pre-party at 5:30 p.m., are $250. Visit mamaskitchen.org or call 619-233-6262.

Wine, Brews and Blues Festival
: Rotary Club of Bonsall hosts its 17th annual fundraising gala with more than 80 wineries, six local breweries and a dozen local and national food vendors from 5:30 to 10 p.m. May 19 at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido. The event includes a silent auction and live music on two stages by the Bill Magee Blues Band, Antonio Pontarelli, Restless Blues Band, Not for Hire and Euphoria Brass Band. Tickets are $65, or $45 for designated drivers. bonsallrotary.com .

Le Diner a San Dieg
o
: Tickets are now on sale for this unique dining event, described as a flash mob underground dinner party, which makes its first Southern California appearance on May 25 in San Diego. Launched a few years ago in Europe,
Le Diner
arrived in the U.S. last year, with an outdoor picnic-style pop-up dinner party for 3,500 in San Francisco. Details and location of the dinner party are kept secret until the day of the event, but as many as 4,000 people will be invited. Diners are asked to dress in all white and bring their own food, beverages, chairs, linens, utensils and table decor. Tables will be provided. Cost is $100 per table of four. To register, visit ledinerasandiego.info.

Wine, Cheese & Chocolate Festival
: The Women's Museum of California hosts its fifth annual gourmet festival from 6:30-9:30 p.m. June 15 at its museum in Balboa Park. Dozens of chocolatiers, wineries and cheese vendors will offer samples and there will be live music by the Sue Palmer Band. Tickets are $35 ($40 after June 1) and includes 10 tasting tickets and a swag bag. Reserve to 619-233-7963.

Taste of Orange County
: After a 22-year absence, the Orange County food and wine festival will be revived June 16 and 17 at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine. Organizers expect 20,000 people to attend the showcase of more than 50 Orange County restaurants and more than 75 wineries, which also features cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, a wine auction, seminars and live entertainment. Tickets are $40 per day and will go on sale in March at www.tasteofoc.com .

San Diego SausageFest
: San Diego's JSix Restaurant hosts the inaugural celebration of homegrown sausage at 5:30 p.m. June 20 on its rooftop lounge. Twelve San Diego sausagemakers will compete in this cook-off where the public votes in the winner. Tickets are $10 for sausage samples. Beer must be purchased separately. Visit sdsausagefest.com or call 619-531-8744.

Red Door Chef's Market Dinners
: Chef Miguel Valdez of The Red Door in Mission Hills will lead diners on a farm-to-table culinary evening at 5:15 p.m. June 20. Guests will meet Valdez at the restaurant, take a culinary tour of the Mission Hills Farmers Market where he'll talk to farmers and purchase items for dinner, then they'll return to the restaurant for a four-course dinner. Cost is $45 or $75 with wine pairings. Visit thereddoorsd.com or call 619-295-6000.

Pechanga Competitive BBQ Festival
: Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula hosts its inaugural, Kansas City Barbecue Society-sanctioned contest from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 23. More than 40 registered judges will rate the work of barbecue teams from all over the country. Tickets are $5 and taste tickets are $2. Beer garden will be available. Visit pechanga.com .

Pechanga Microbrew Festival & Chili Cook-Off
: Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula hosts the fourth annual event featuring samplings by dozens of brewers and microbrewers from around the country and food samples from Pechanga restaurants from 1 to 5 p.m. July 14. Tickets are $45. Visit pechanga.com .

P.F. Chang's
: The Asian fusion restaurant chain has a new lunch menu with 20 combination plates priced at less than $10. Choices include chicken, beef, shrimp, noodle and vegetable dishes served with choice of hot and sour soup, egg drop soup or mixed greens salad. There's also the new Dim Sum Lunch, which includes two orders of steamed dumplings with choice of soup or salad for $7.45. Visit pfchangs.com .

Alchemy of the Hearth:
Cooking classes are offered at 960 Rancheros Drive, Suite L, San Marcos. Alchemy of the Hearth is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Go to alchemyofthehearth.com or call 760-233-2433.

Chocolate, Gifts & More:
Chef Helen Graboski of Murrieta Valley Adult Ed will host five-week cooking classes on Tuesdays for all ages beginning April 24 at Murrieta Valley High School. Classes for children in grades 3 to 10 are 5 to 6 p.m. ($30 plus supplies); and classes for grades 11 through adult run 6 to 8 p.m. ($50 plus supplies). Students will learn how to make gourmet chocolate apples, nut clusters, gifts and appetizers. Register at 951-696-3805 ($10 discount for pre-registration two weeks in advance).

Cups Culinary:
The cupcake lounge in La Jolla also offers classes at 7857 Girard Ave.; go to cupslj.com or call 858-459-2877 for prices and registration. Classes are $65.

Franco's Home Chef Pizza Classes:
Vista chef Frank Latino, a graduate of the International School of Pizza in San Francisco, is offering ongoing one- and two-day hands-on classes in pizza-making for wood-fired and gas-fired ovens. Seven- to eight-hour classes are limited to six and include lunch. For fees and locations, visit 2003champ@sbcglobal.net or call 619-890-4984.

Italian Wine Specialist Certification series
: The North American Sommelier Association hosts the only U.S. course offering certification in Italian wines expertise from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 28 and May 5, 19 and 26 (final exam on June 9) at Acqua Al 2 Ristorante, 322 Fifth Ave., San Diego. Course is $590. Register at nasommelier.com/courses/italian-wine-specialist .

Roppongi Sushi School:
Roppongi Restaurant in La Jolla hosts Saturday Sushi School at 12:30 p.m. Saturdays. For $25, guests will learn how to roll their own California and Spicy Tuna rolls, followed by a three-course lunch with sake sipper and a take-home sushi-rolling kit and certificate of completion. Reserve to 858-551-5252.

Ro Z's Sweet Art Studio:
Rosanne Zinniger's cake decorating shop and studio at 277 S. Rancho Santa Fe Road, San Marcos, offers classes in cake decorating. There is also a kids cake decorating club for ages 7 to 11 one Saturday of every month; go to the website for dates. Store hours are 3 to 7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Classes sometimes have an additional fee for materials; check the website. Visit rozsweetartstudio.com or call 760-744-0447.

The Casual Gourmet:
Phillis Carey will teach simple meals to cook at home at the Center for a Healthy Lifestyle at the Solana Beach Boys & Girls Club, 533 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. Email phillis@philliscarey.com or call 760-942-1756.

IN THE SPIRITS

Acqua Al 2:
The Gaslamp Quarter restaurant hosts wine tastings during "Uncorked" the first Wednesday of every month at 322 Fifth Ave. in San Diego. For $20, guests taste four wine/spirit selections paired with four appetizers. Reservations are required; Visit acquaal2.com or call 619-230-0382.

Blue Door Winery:
The 10-acre vineyard has opened a tasting room at 1255 Julian Orchards Drive in Julian. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Cost is $8 for five tastings. Bottled wines are $19 to $29. Visit bluedoorwinery.com or call 760-765-0361.

The Grand Del Mar's Club M:
Part restaurant, part nightclub, part sports lounge, Club M invites locals and travelers to sip 'n sup on global tapas, sophisticated cocktails, wine and beer, as well as dance and enjoy live entertainment. Noted architect Graham Downes designed and reconfigured the space to create a swank hangout with a lounge, bar, dining room, a large dance floor, and a stage for featured performances and DJs. 7 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; guest DJs 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.; www.thegranddelmar.com or 858-314-2700.

The Collective:
Tasting lounge features one-of-a-kind, handmade boutique wines at 28544 Old Town Front Street in Temecula. Hours are 3 to 10 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, noon to midnight Fridays and Saturdays, and noon to 10 p.m. Sundays. Visit tvwinecollective.com or call 951-693-4567.

ENO-Versity at the Hotel Del:
ENO, the wine, cheese and chocolate tasting room at the Hotel del Coronado, has announced fall classes for ENO-Versity. Classes are $35 per person (unless noted) and start at 4 p.m.; go to hoteldel.com/ENO-wine or call 619-522-8546. The Hotel Del is at 1500 Orange Ave. in Coronado.

Hilton Garden Inn:
Sommelier Kevin Frantze and emcee Bob Rauch will lead a tasting of six wines on select Saturdays this summer at the Hilton Garden Inn in Del Mar. Each 5 p.m. tasting is $29 and includes six wine tastings and a variety of specialty cheeses, fruits and nuts, plus a bottle of wine to take home or pair with dinner at Bistro 39. Go to www.bistro39delmar.com or call 858-720-9500.

Miramonte Winery:
The Temecula winery hosts VIBE once a month with music, food, wines, champagnes, beers and DJs; the winery also hosts "Just Us Girls" at 7 p.m. every first Thursday. The event features wines, champagne cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and vendors. Go to miramontewinery.com or call 951-506-5500.

Monte de Oro Winery & Vineyard:
These events are coming up at Monte de Oro Winery & Vineyard at 35820 Rancho California Road in Temecula. Wine club members receive discounts; go to montedeoro.com or call 951-491-6551.

North County Wine Company:
Brothers Jim and Bill Tobin have recently purchased North County Wine Company at 1099 W. San Marcos Blvd. in San Marcos. The wine bar and shop is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Friday Night Tastings are $10 and include seven wine tastings and snacks. Other weekly events include Tuesday Ladies Night, Meet the Winemaker Wednesday, Thirsty Thursday, Friday Wine Tasting Six for Six Saturday and Silver Sunday Special. Visit www.NorthCountyWineCompany.com or call 760-744-2119.

Rossi's Pizza:
Hosts a wine group at 6:30 p.m. every first Wednesday at 156 S. Rancho Santa Fe Road in San Marcos. Tastings are $10, and there are discounts on bottles. Go to www.rossis-pizza.com or call 760-727-4747.

South Coast Winery's wine blending competition:
South Coast Winery will host its Earth Day wine blending competition, blessing of the wines and barbecue at 3:45 p.m. April 22. These will be an authentic processional tour through the vineyards, followed by music, dancing and a barbecue with wines. Tickets are $45; go to wineresort.com or call 951-587-9463.

Stone Brewing Co.:
The Escondido brewery and restaurant is hosting events at 1999 Citracado Parkway in Escondido. The bistro also hosts movies in its garden during warm-weather months. Call 760-471-4999 or go to www.stonebrew.com to check availability.

Tango offers half-price Wednesdays:
Escondido's Tango Restaurant & Lounge is offering half-price on all drinks and bottles of wine from 3 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, as well as happy hour pricing all evening. Visit tangoongrand.com .

Vinz Wine Bar:
Full restaurant menu with wide wine menu by the glass or bottle. Tastings are from $5-$10 from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and 3 to 5 p.m. Saturdays, and come with charcuterie and cheese. Live music on Saturdays. Vinz is at 201 E. Grand Ave., Escondido. Visit vinzwinebar.net or call 760-743-8466.

Wine Smarties:
The Wine Smarties presents internationally recognized WSET certification programs and other wine classes. The courses are ideal for enthusiasts, professionals or those looking to enter the industry. Go to winesmarties.com or call 619-955-8884. Reservations required.

WineStyles:
The Encinitas wine store offers wine, microbrews, cheese platters and panini after 5 p.m. and several specials each week. On Wednesdays, get a half-price glass or flight of wine after 5 p.m.; Thursday is Ladies' Night; live music most Fridays and Saturdays; and Super Six Wine Tasting is on Saturday afternoons. WineStyles is open from noon to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon to 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Go to www.winestyles.net/encinitas or call 760-633-0057.